Main menu

You are here

You are here

Conservatives Seek High Street Boost

Posted on 24 August 2013

Transport for London, which is chaired by Conservative Mayor Boris Johnson, has launched a consultation on its plans to increase the time drivers are allowed to park in stop and shop bays. The Mayor of London hopes that this will be a boost for local shops. The plans have been welcomed by the London Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses who described it as “sensible measure”.

The consultation is running in 19 London Boroughs, which include Greenwich. Both the Conservative Mayor of London and the Conservative-led Government have undertaken a range of policies to support local shops and the local high street; this is in sharp contrast with Labour controlled Councils such as Greenwich who plan to hike up parking charges in our high streets and have introduced a pavement tax which would have forced local shops to pay thousands of pounds a year to put items outside their shops. Further to this Secretary of State for Local Government Eric Pickles last month announced plans to ease restrictions on parking in order to help local shops.

Boris Johnson said “Parking is a big concern for businesses and retailers in London. By extending the length of time that drivers can park at more than 600 locations, we can make it easier for Londoners to shop locally, and crucially, boost trade in our local high streets and the economy in the process”.

2014 Conservative Candidate for Blackheath Westcombe Thomas Turrell, who’s Grandfather was a shop keeper in Woolwich said “The Conservatives are committed and focused on saving the local high Streets through policies such as sensibly reducing parking restrictions and not taxing local shops to put items outside”.